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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Kovalov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marco Dragonov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?
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| 170 cm
33
196 lbs
17 - 10 - 1 |
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189 cm
27
195 lbs
13 - 4 - 2 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin |
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Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
17 - 10 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Antonio Kovalov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
13 - 4 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Marco Dragonov!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Tarja Halkonen and Arvi Lind.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kovalov shoots in but Dragonov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kovalov misses with a low kick as Dragonov jumps back.
Dragonov slips a jab from Kovalov.
Kovalov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kovalov.
Dragonov lands with a good body shot.
Dragonov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Dragonov lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Dragonov misses the shot to the body.
Nice sprawl there from Dragonov as Kovalov shoots in.
Kovalov throws a body kick that misses
and Dragonov counters with a low kick, right behind Kovalov 's knee.
Dragonov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Dragonov throws a sloppy head kick and Kovalov moves out of range easily.
Kovalov throws a right and a left that Dragonov avoids nicely.
Dragonov moves out of range as Kovalov strikes.
Kovalov avoids the head kick by Dragonov.
Dragonov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kovalov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovalov moves out of range as Dragonov strikes.
Kovalov moves out of range of the strikes.
Kovalov lands a nice shot to the body.
Dragonov lands a nice shot to the body.
Antonio Kovalov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dragonov moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Kovalov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Antonio Kovalov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kovalov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Dragonov as he jumps to the side.
Dragonov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
That kick from Dragonov tenderised Kovalov's leg. Kovalov is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kovalov scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Dragonov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kovalov at a distance.
Dragonov fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kovalov checks it well.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dragonov fails to land with a series of punches.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dragonov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kovalov.
Dragonov tries to close the distance and clinch but Kovalov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kovalov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Dragonov can pounce on him.
Kovalov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Dragonov counters with a right hand to the body.
Kovalov avoids the body shot from Dragonov.
Kovalov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Dragonov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Kovalov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Dragonov.
Dragonov misses with an uppercut. Kovalov saw that one coming.
Dragonov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Kovalov throws a sloppy head kick and Dragonov moves out of range easily.
Dragonov is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Dragonov slips a jab from Kovalov.
Dragonov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kovalov.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dragonov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kovalov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Dragonov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kovalov somewhat.
Dragonov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kovalov drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Dragonov misses with a body shot.
Kovalov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Dragonov swivels and escapes.
Kovalov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Kovalov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Dragonov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Dragonov throws a shot to the body.
A head kick from Dragonov lands but Kovalov takes it in his stride.
Dragonov ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Kovalov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dragonov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kovalov circles away quickly and effectively.
Dragonov tries a head kick but it misses.
Kovalov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Dragonov manages to avoid it.
Marco Dragonov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kovalov loads up on a big right hand but Dragonov slips the punch.
Dragonov lands an overhand right.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Dragonov scores with a head kick.
Kovalov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kovalov is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Dragonov's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Dragonov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Dragonov throws a chopping leg kick but Kovalov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Dragonov swings for the body but Kovalov moves out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kovalov shoots in looking for a takedown. Dragonov tries to sprawl out of it but Kovalov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Dragonov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Dragonov with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Marco Dragonov dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Kovalov misses the shot to the body.
Dragonov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Kovalov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Dragonov moves into range and connects with a jab.
A punch combination from Dragonov misses.
Dragonov slips under a jab from Kovalov.
Dragonov cracks a nice hook into Kovalov's ribs.
Kovalov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Dragonov throws a big shot that misses.
Dragonov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kovalov doesn't seem bothered though.
Dragonov with a hook.
A decent looking cross lands there for Dragonov.
Dragonov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Kovalov. Kovalov circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Kovalov shoots for a double leg takedown but Dragonov sprawls well. He's pushed Kovalov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Dragonov cracks the inside of Kovalov's front leg.
Dragonov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A left lands for Dragonov.
Kovalov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Dragonov scores with a head kick. Kovalov tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Dragonov misses with a wild body shot.
Good standup being displayed there by Dragonov as he connects with a hook.
Dragonov throws the left hand but Kovalov avoids the punch easily.
Kovalov takes a body punch but keeps moving.
A slapping leg kick lands for Dragonov.
Dragonov connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kovalov's hands.
Kovalov ducks right into an uppercut from Dragonov.
A nice inside leg kick there by Dragonov. That's going to slow Kovalov down.
Kovalov looks for a takedown but Dragonov sprawls well.
Kovalov dives in and grabs Dragonov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Dragonov pushes down on Kovalov's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Antonio Kovalov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kovalov.
Nice shot lands for Dragonov.
Dragonov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kovalov misses with a series of wild punches.
Dragonov lands a nice looking body shot.
Kovalov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Dragonov lands with an overhand left.
Antonio Kovalov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kovalov fails with a takedown attempt.
A lazy left from Dragonov finds it's target.
The fighters circling - Kovalov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovalov scores with a jab to the body.
Kovalov's corner calls for a 1-2. Kovalov obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Dragonov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kovalov misses with a hook.
Dragonov throws a shot to the body.
Kovalov misses with an uppercut. Dragonov saw that one coming.
Dragonov lands a lovely overhand right.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Kovalov!
Dragonov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Dragonov checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Dragonov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Good standup being displayed there by Dragonov as he connects with a hook.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kovalov walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Kovalov scores a takedown into full mount!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dragonov regains half guard.
Kovalov wants to pass the guard but Dragonov is defending well.
Dragonov manages to get to full guard.
Kovalov postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dragonov wants to sweep but no luck.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kovalov trying to control the position from guard on top but Dragonov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dragonov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Marco Dragonov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kovalov.
Dragonov has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Dragonov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Dragonov jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Kovalov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kovalov takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Dragonov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Dragonov throws a leg kick which misses Kovalov's front leg but catches the back leg as Kovalov tries to avoid it.
Dragonov swings away with a body shot that misses
and Kovalov counters with a single leg into guard. Dragonov didn't expect that.
Kovalov is in close to Dragonov's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kovalov advances to half guard.
Dragonov is trying to get back to full guard.
Dragonov is looking to get back to full guard here but Kovalov has managed to pass to side control instead.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Dragonov sneaks back into half guard.
Kovalov is trying to control the action in half guard but Dragonov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Kovalov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Kovalov connects with a nice short shot to Dragonov's temple.
Kovalov gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Dragonov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Dragonov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kovalov.
Dragonov jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Kovalov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Dragonov finds it's way round the side to connect with Kovalov's head.
Dragonov walks into a jab.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovalov loads up on a big right hand but Dragonov slips the punch.
Kovalov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Dragonov.
Dragonov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kovalov looks to land a combination but Dragonov avoids it well.
Kovalov misses with a looping left.
A jab lands there for Dragonov.
Dragonov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
A good leg kick by Dragonov.
Kovalov falls off balance throwing a combination
and Dragonov makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kovalov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Dragonov works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Kovalov has a takedown stuffed.
Dragonov throws a nice looking combination but Kovalov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dragonov swinging wildly here.
Dragonov throws a nice inside leg kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Dragonov.
Kovalov misses with a hook.
Dragonov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Dragonov feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Kovalov's calf.
Kovalov tries to grapple but his opponent circles
enabling Dragonov to counter with a crisp jab.
Kovalov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A combination from Dragonov does no damage.
Kovalov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Dragonov jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Antonio Kovalov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kovalov shoots in but no luck this time.
Dragonov moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Kovalov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Dragonov counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Kovalov with a jab.
Dragonov slips a jab and a cross from Kovalov.
Marco Dragonov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Dragonov closes the distance and lands a one-two.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dragonov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kovalov.
Kovalov walks into a straight right hand from Dragonov.
Dragonov scores with a body shot.
Dragonov takes a swing at Kovalov's ribcage but misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Dragonov cracks Kovalov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Dragonov connects with a high kick.
Dragonov lands a head shot.
Kovalov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Dragonov counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Antonio Kovalov.
I think Dragonov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marco Dragonov!
Our winner, Marco Dragonov, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
90% |
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